URA ITURRALDE

Photographer

www.uraiturralde.net

AN OASIS INSIDE THE PANDEMIC

Follow Hire

Location: Tolosa

Nationality: Spanish

Biography: I was born in Tolosa, in the Basque Country in 1979. I worked as graphic designer for a long time until I decided to leave everything behind and devote my life to my real passion: photography. Me and my camera travelled to Southeast Asia... MORE

AN OASIS INSIDE THE PANDEMIC

They pray for us, for the ones that have lost their lives, for the end of the pandemic.

Very little has changed in the daily life of cloistered nuns from Tolosa (Basque Country, Spain) whose days are strictly organised and scheduled.

This is the reason why during the lockdown they received many phone calls by people who felt lost within the four walls. The nuns have always been ready to give advice to anyone in order to face this lockdown in the best way possible; they are aware how privileged they are and the gravity of the situation of others.

“WE NEVER FEEL BORED”

Genoveva, Mikaela, Rosario, Lurdes and Gurutze live in this convent, always optimistic, praying to God for protection.

81-year-old Sister Genoveva ha...ckdown; she was happy to help.

81-year-old Sister Genoveva has been living in the monastery of Tolosa for 49 years. Currently, she’s the Mother Abbess. Very little has changed in the daily life of the convent since the beginning of the pandemic, however, they have started using gloves and face-masks during Mass and when they have visitors. Sister Genoveva states that during the pandemic they have received many calls by people who needed help with facing lockdown; she was happy to help.

Altar of the church in monastery Santa Clara.

86-year-old Sister Mar&iac...water before having breakfast.

86-year-old Sister María Rosario, Sister Genoveva’s older sister, has been living in the monastery of Tolosa for 66 years. Back then, there were 40 nuns, but now only 5 of them are left. In the photograph, drinking a glass of water before having breakfast.

54-year-old Sister Mar&iac...ading excerpts from the Bible.

54-year-old Sister María Cruz reading excerpts from the Bible.

Wearing her habit, Sister Geno...central garden of the convent.

Wearing her habit, Sister Genoveva rests in the central garden of the convent.

72-year-old Sister Mikaela giv...astery of Tolosa for 22 years.

72-year-old Sister Mikaela gives flowers that have been previously picked from the garden to Sister Genoveva. She has been living in the monastery of Tolosa for 22 years.

Sister María Cruz, ...of watching and feeding sheep.

Sister María Cruz, the youngest of all Sisters, is in charge of watching and feeding sheep.

Sister Genoveva with all recom...ing the holy chalice for mass.

Sister Genoveva with all recommended security measures while preparing the holy chalice for mass.

Sister Genoveva in one of the halls of the building.

Sister María Cruz i...e lemon tree of the monastery.

Sister María Cruz is also in charge of picking lemons from the lemon tree of the monastery.

Lemons picked by Sister María Cruz.

Sister María Cruz l... speed walks on the treadmill.

Sister María Cruz loves doing some exercise and she uses her little spare time to do so. She usually speed walks on the treadmill.

Sister María Rosari...graph, watering garden plants.

Sister María Rosario has some difficulties when walking, as she had a bad fall and consequently, had a hip replacement three years ago. However, this doesn’t stop her from doing her daily chores. In the photograph, watering garden plants.

Statue of Virgin Mary in the courtyard garden of the monastery.